Latin American Studies Degree Requirements

The Latin American Studies major encompasses courses in Spanish language and culture and offerings from at least four of the following areas: anthropology, art, economics and business, history, Latin American literature and culture, politics, and religion. Portuguese, if transferred from another institution, may be substituted for the courses in Spanish language and culture. The Latin American Studies program is administered by a committee made up of faculty members who teach courses on the approved list given below.

Major: A minimum of nine course credits from at least four departments participating in the Latin American Studies program; no more than three such courses may be in any one department. A study experience in a Latin American country is strongly recommended. Currently there are Cornell-sponsored courses in Mexico, Bolivia, and Guatemala. The requirements are:

Six courses selected from the following (not more than two courses designated with asterisks may be counted):ANT 205 (The Maya), 256 through 260 (Topics in Anthropology) when the subject matter deals specifically with Latin America, 356 through 361 (Advanced Topics) when the subject matter deals specifically with Latin America; ART 278 (Pre-Columbian ART), 375 through 379 (Advanced Topics in Art History) when the subject matter deals specifically with Latin America; ECB 265 through 269 (Topics in Economics and Business) when the subject matter deals specifically with Latin America; HIS/LAS 349; LAS 235 through 240 (Topics in Latin American Studies), 335 through 340 (Advanced Topics in Latin American Studies); POL 332, (Human Rights), 341 (Latin American Politics), *348 (U.S. Foreign Policy); SPA 355 (Latin American Short Story and Novel), 356 (Latin American Poetry), 383 (Latinos in the U.S.), 385 (Latin American Culture and Civilization), 311 (Introduction to Textual Analysis) when the subject matter deals specifically with Latin America, and 411 (Seminar) when the subject matter deals specifically with Latin America; a maximum of two appropriate independent study courses; relevant courses taken as part of an off-campus program and approved by the LAS Committee; with the approval of the LAS Committee, other courses not listed here but deemed relevant to Latin American Studies; and

LAS 487.

Minor: A minimum of five course credits and language proficiency to include:

205-level proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese;

LAS/HIS141;

Four courses in at least two different departments, selected from ART 202 or 302 (when taught in Mexico); HIS/LAS 349; POL 346; SPA 311, 411 (when the subject matter deals specifically with Latin America), 355, 356, 383; a maximum of one appropriate independent study course; relevant courses taken as part of an off-campus program and approved by the LAS Committee.